Claudine Barretto

Claudine Margaret Castelo Barretto, born July 20, 1979 in Manila, Philippines. She is the daughter of Miguel Alvier Barretto and Estrella Santiago Castelo. Siblings include Miguel Jr., Michelle, Joaquin, Geraldine, Gretchen and Marjorie.

She married actor Raymart Santiago on March 27, 2006 at the Tagaytay Highlands. They have an adopted daughter, Sabina Natasha and their first son, Rodrigo Santino, which Claudine gave birth on July 19, 2007, a day before the couple's birthday.

Claudine attended high school at South Merville in Paranaque. She wanted to take Speech and Theater at the University of the Philippines to better herself in acting.

Claudine is someone you could call a natural performer. At age of 2, she could sing an entire song complete with lyrics. Her interest in acting found expression when, at 5 years old, she would cry in front of the mirror after watching movies of Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano and Vilma Santos.

The young actress started appearing in stage plays while undergoing a workshop with Repertory Philippines in 1992. Claudine was Repertory Philippines' answer to Olivia Newton John in the musical Grease.

FROM REPERTORY TO TV

At 1992, she was discovered by no other than Douglas Quijano, when her older sister Gretchen brought her to the debut party of friend, Ruffa Gutierrez at the Coconut Palace.

The major break that dawned on Claudine was when she was casted as one of the mainstays of the top-rating youth oriented show of their time, Ang TV. When Home Along da Riles was launched with no other than the comedy king Dolphy top billing the sitcom, Claudine was again casted as Dolphy's sweet and unassuming teenage daughter, Bing. Sitcom producers saw in her a potential Maria that is why they casted her.

After which, she again became a part of the another top-rated sitcom Oki Doki Doc, lead by Aga Muhlach, where she played the sister of Agot Isidro, Toni.

Claudine also did a telemovie together with Aga Muhlach titled Kailan Mo Ako Mamahalin?

She practiced her hosting skills though variety shows, ASAP and MTB. By 1993, Claudine already has 12 fans club in Metro Manila. Members are high school students like her.

Hailed as the one and only, Teleserye Queen, Claudine was first in the history of Philippine television to star in 3 consecutive soap operas. Mula Sa Puso, which brought her to stardom, starring as the rich heiress Via, opposite the late Rico Yan; next was the two-year running Saan Ka Man Naroroon, where she played the role of triplets Rosario, Rosemarie, and Rosenda. She was nominated for best actress at the Asian TV Awards in Singapore for this teleserye. And Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan where she played the strong-willed yet revengeful Angeline Montenegro who is in constant battle against the villains in her life who rejoices to see her fall and continues to hinder her to be with her one, true love.

Then Claudine starred in Marina, where she played the role of a mermaid who is in search of the answer to the curse that was given to her by the sea diety Victoria. This is the first fantaserye in Philippine television.

In Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin, Claudine played the role of Nea Fontanilla. A fighter, who keeps her dignity intact, is brimming with generosity and full of positive attitude.

In Walang Kapalit, Claudine plays the role of Melanie Borromeo, the young stepsister of Noel. She has always wanted an older brother to protect her, but ended up with Noel, who seems to harbor an inexplicable hate towards her. She tends to get hurt easily, but will also put a good fight when challenged. Her life changes forever when she unexpectedly falls in love with Noel.

Aside from her sitcoms and teleseryes, Claudine also did some other shows such as Star Drama Theater, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Flames, Buttercup, Komiks, Star Magic Presents and Your Song.

FROM TV TO THE BIG SCREEN

Claudine is not only reigning in television shows, but in movies as well. At a young age, she already starred with veteran actors Dolphy and Aga Muhlach, and actresses such as the Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, and Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Claudine was Seiko's bet for stardom. Her first three films under Seiko were Kumusta Ka, Aking Mahal?, Taong Gubat and Pulis Patola. She was paired with the dashing and debonair newcomer Emil Benedicto. She also did Kung Sakali Man and God...Save the Babies under this film outfit.

Though an exclusive Seiko contract star before, Claudine was still allowed to accept two assignments with Star Cinema, Home Along Da Riles (The Movie) and May Minamahal.

Claudine starred in more than thirty movies and she is now an exclusive contract star of Star Cinema. She has a number of memorable movies such as Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita, Anak, Got 2 Believe, Kailangan Kita, Milan, Nasaan Ka Man and Sukob.

In Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita, Claudine played the role of Mela, with a reputation of a bad girl in the campus and is going steady with Mr. Bad Boy. She then meets Mr. Perfect who does not care about her. Challenged, she pursued Mr. Perfect who eventually learned to love her despite her reputation. Claudine was very convincing in this role, a true versatile actress.

In the 2000 movie Anak, Claudine played a very challenging role as Carla, a daughter who ran loose and wild for lack of guidance. Claudine received a lot or praises from this movie and people started naming her as the next Vilma Santos.

In Got 2 Believe, Claudine played the role of Toni, a wedding coordinator who believes in true love and is in search of finding Mr. Right. In this movie, Claudine showed that she couldn't only play dramatic roles but comedic roles as well.

In Kailangan Kita, Claudine was Lena, a daughter who forgoes her personal happiness to keep her family from falling apart. Claudine had a grand slam nomination for best actress for this movie.

In Milan, Claudine played the role of Jenny, an imposing figure in the Filipino community of migrant workers, whose dreams of grandeur have clouded her need for personal relationships. Claudine won her first best actress award from this movie, beating the likes of Ms. Maricel Soriano, Ms. Nora Aunor and Judy Ann Santos. Also, this movie was invited to the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival. Claudine attended the red carpet screening and was overjoyed by the appreciation shown by the people all over the world.

In Nasaan Ka Man, we can see a very different Claudine. Pilar was difficult to portray because according to Claudine it was something new. She never played a role like it before and was at first, scared on whether she can act the role right or not. Well, she portrayed the role magnificently because Claudine received three best actress awards from this movie.

And in Sukob, Claudine played the role of Diana, who, together with her sister Sandy is in search of the answer to the uncanny and terrible events that happened in their lives. This movie is the highest grossing film in the Philippines; it reached the 200 million mark.

Her first exposure on TV was through commercials: one is for a fast food chain (Jollibee) and the other for a telecommunications company (PLDT). At 14, Claudine was the youngest Whisper commercial model along with Liza Macuja, Dyan Castillejo, Maricel Soriano, Christine Jacob and Aiko Melendez.

Currently, Claudine is the endorser of the clothing line Folded and Hung, Secosana Bags, houses of Earth + Style, fragrances from Natasha, Belo Medical Group and 555 Carne Norte.

Claudine is included in the list of the Top 15 Effective Endorsers of QTV.

THE COVER GIRL

Claudine already landed as the cover girl in a number of magazines. Whenever Claudine is on the cover, high sales is expected and she never disappoints. The magazines that Claudine appeared on are as follows: Star Studio Magazine, Metro, Mega, Working Mom, MOD, Smart Parenting, Premiere, Preview, The Buzz, Metro Weddings, Cosmopolitan, S, Mr. and Ms. Magazine,Youngstar and Woman Today.

AWARDS UNDER HER BELT

Claudine has six best actress award wins and numerous nominations for the best actress and best supporting actress.

She was nominated for the movies Anak, Kailangan Kita, Soltera, Dubai, Nasaan Ka Man, and Milan.

On May 14, 2005, Claudine won her first best actress award from the 1st Luna Awards for the movie Milan. And on June 24, 2005, she won again for the movie Milan from the 53rd FAMAS Awards.

She won three awards for the movie Nasaan Ka Man from the 8th Pasado Awards on March 15, 2006, 22nd PMPC Star Awards for Movies on June 30, 2006, and 54th FAMAS Awards.

She got another blessing from winning the best actress award for the movie Dubai from Maria Clara Awards.

For other awards, Claudine won PMPC Star Awards for TV, Best TV Personality Award 1997, for the episode Kasunduan of Star Drama Presents.

Claudine Barretto has definitely come a long way and there is no stopping her now. With the incomparable talent that Claudine has, she may be the next Vilma Santos but as she said in an interview before, she can only be the best Claudine Barretto.